Alarms and Dogs

by Meghann on May 5, 2011

Good Morning! 🙂

I think living with Derek and having Maddie has provided me with a tiny glimpse on what it will be like to have kids some day.

Most days mine and Derek’s alarm clocks are set for the same time. Sometimes he has to be at work early and his goes off first and sometimes I have to be up early and my alarm is first. On the mornings when I have to get up early, it isn’t a big deal. I wake up, I immediately take Maddie out, and I get ready for my day (in the separate bedroom, so I don’t wake him up.)

On days when Derek wakes up early – he get’s up, goes straight to the shower, and leaves Maddie to jump all over me until I get up to take her out.

Not cool, Derek. Not cool. 😛

I should probably put a side note here that, since moving in with Derek, Maddie has remained 100% my responsibility. Unless I’m not home for what-ever reason, I’m the one who walks her, feeds her, and cleans up after her. Admittedly Maddie is a demon child (she never 100% figured out potty training, she sheds like a mofo, and I baby her like no other), but I love her more than anything in the world. She’s my baby, my responsibility, and – to me- worth it. 🙂

Plus, I don’t mind waking up early to take Maddie out.

Well... for the most part.

I was sleeping in this morning because I had a cycling date with a new friend at 9. She’s going to teach me how to cycle properly; a lesson I’ve been chomping at the bit to learn.

I fueled up for the ride with two pieces of toast with a pumpkin/ peanut butter mix.

The toast was topped with a heated mix of pumpkin (my last can of the season!) and peanut butter, chia seeds, raisins, and apple slices.

My husband and I are pretty good about sharing the responsibility for our dog. Whoever gets up first automatically takes the dog out and feeds him. Usually it’s me. I’m usually the one who goes to bed first so he takes the dog out before bed. But then there are times when he gets up early and starts getting ready and the dog is going bonkers jumping all over me on the bed because he has to go out. Not cool!michelle recently posted..Our Move to Germany

I can relate. I get up first, take care of the dogs and Johnny <- he's my son. But when Adams kids are with us, not much changes. I take care of them too. I guess it's part of being a mom. Enjoy your ride today!Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out recently posted..Normalcy! Well- as normal as we can be

Aww, I have to respectfully disagree with you two… the dog was Meghann’s and Derek didn’t have any say in having the dog, that type of dog, etc. Although my fiance loves my cat like no other, I still have the full responsibility of the care as I did when we lived apart. Now if you get an animal together (which, in my opinion, only married couples should do for obvious reasons) it’s a different story.

We’re dog sitting this week and I’m happy to say that Jason takes her out just as much as I do — and I feed her in the AM and he feeds her in the afternoon. Works out pretty good!Holly @ The Runny Egg recently posted..Pizza Bread

That’s how we do it too. I’m on AM duty (heh heh) and he takes the PM shift. Works well cuz I don’t like going out at night but I enjoy my 10-min AM walk. But Nina is “our” dog and I’m sure my fiance would be the same as Derek if she were just “mine.” However, although I guess the fish is “ours” (er, everything is “ours” now right?) too but he does all fish-related activities.Hallie recently posted..Weddings on the Brain

Awww Jackson is crate trained so he goes in his crate at night and he’ll sleep in without whining or anything until 11am if we let him that long. He’s never bothered us at during the night except for the occasional dream/howl – I guess we got really, really lucky. Poor Meghann with your Maddie ;P I always say, Good thing Jackson is cute.. same probably goes for Maddie lolJessica recently posted..Sneak Peak

Our family was dog sitting for over a month for my folks. The kids were so excited and promised to help with the pooch every day. That lasted all of five days. I didn’t mind too much though. I liked the quiet time I got when walking the neighborhood. About that potty thing, I found puddle pads are my floors’ friend. I would put a couple at the spots where the dog would have his “accidents”. It sure did save my rugs.

😛 maybe he’ll read this blog and think “uh oh I need to get on that”. 🙂

I personally like cats. We (my wife and I) have two cats and it’s pretty easy to share the responsibility. She does th elitter box one day, I do it the next.Chad @ thebreakupnote recently posted..It All Tasted A Little Better- Today…

Well, not that agree with Derek’s decision but I think that this is why dogs are good to get before having kids and living with a sig other is important before getting married! 🙂 That way you can figure out what works best for you guys.

I can definitely relate to the dog responsibility issues with the boy. I have a almost 2 year old Chihuahua and it is the same with me and my boyfriend. And I too baby my pup like no other but if I am home and not out of town, Bowser is all my responsibility( Yes my 6 pound dog is names Bowser :))

I can totally relate 🙂

And so sad about your pumpkin. I have been hoarding my last cans for about 2 monthsssss!

My Jack also sheds like nobody’s business! My now-husband (then-fiance when we bought the dog and lived apart) helps out with Jupe in the a.m. because I’m the first to get home from work in the p.m. But when we got married and first moved in, it took some time to massage out pup-care details. These things have a way of working themselves out naturally — no serious conversations or ultimatums necessary!

Having a dog definitely feels like a trial run for kids to me! When I moved in with my fiance’ and his (now our) dog, we definitely started sharing responsibilities. I don’t know, I couldn’t call myself her puppy mom/our dog if I didn’t take her out/walk her/discipline her just as much as he does! I think he admittedly still pays for more of the dog food etc (more just because of the location of where he works ha) and she’ll always be more of a daddy’s girl, but we split pet fees, etc. I hope you find whatever balance works best for you, but I would definitely say I’d personally feel very uncomfortable not splitting it!

I understand why he wouldn’t take responsibility for the dog. It was yours beforehand and maybe he just doesn’t want a dog. The potty training issue would drive me bonkers! Does he ever get mad about it?

I’m sure he would be great when it came to kids. I know you didn’t say otherwise but other commenters alluded to this fact. I felt I had to stick up for the guy, haha.Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me recently posted..Bad Egg Rolls &amp a Wedding Update

Seems like you are realizing there are a lot of things you and Derek do a little differently. Good to have these things come to light before things are more serious for y’all as a couple! Does Derek ever get uneasy when you talk about kids and marriage before you two are engaged? 🙂

I really need a cycling lesson…I think I am doing it okay but “real” cyclist pass my like crazy on my bike rides. It’s usually at a time when my legs are burning too so i probably give them really dirty look, not that they can see them since they’re too busy flying past me with ease:) A.k.a. please share what you learn about biking!Grace recently posted..My Summer Essentials- First Ever Giveaway!

Have you tried reminding/asking him when the alarm goes off to take her out? I know many people who aren’t thinking clearly until after a shower (myself included). I take our Jack Russel into the bathroom with me while I shower. She curls up on my discarded pajamas and waits patiently.

I have always ejoyed reading your blog, Meghann, but am a little surprised at how you talk about and sometimes rag on your BF on the blog, whether explicitly like today, or subtly, as I’ve noticed you’ve done since you moved in with him. I get that the blog is supposed to represent snapshots of your daily life (love that!) but I can’t imagine that publicly throwing your man under the bus is good for your relationship. That’s none of my business, I know. I just think relationship disputes are best handled privately. But to each his own; maybe I’m just too old fashioned. 🙂

I see what you are saying Bri, but I think Meghann writes observations like this on purpose, as part of a theme. Something like, “Boys! Can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em. Amiright ladies??” It might be hard to express that in writing though.Dori recently posted..Texgate lol 2011- The Aftermath

That totally makes sense, Dori. I pick up on it as a theme, as well, and I definitely relate on that level. I understand that it is a light-hearted thing. (And in any event, I don’t personally care or have a vested interest another couple’s relationship.) My comment was an observation that this just seems like an interesting approach and one that wouldn’t even cross my mind to use regarding my husband. I (at least try) apply to my marriage and friendships the Vince Lombardi quote, “Praise in public; criticize in private.”

haha…cmon ppl we all complain about our bfs at one time or the other lol and if you dont your lying 😉 but I must say I wish kids were like dogs LOL. I just had my first baby and it changes your life COMPLETELY! no more going out whenever etc..but its a good change

I can relate also, I have two dogs that I mostly take care of. My husband helps some, but he is a great Dad to our son! Hey, Derek must of done something right, they were both still ‘alive’ when you came home from your trip! So that’s good! 🙂

I think this is a great “hot topic” of sorts for the blog but I have to say that sometimes I am completely amazed at the outlook on this by my fellow females. The idea that we as women get to move into a man’s own place, take over with decor, let our pets have free reign and change their wholes lives to accomodate ours is incredibly selfish and a totally passe’ viewpoint (please note, Meghann, I am not saying you are doing exactly this or anything, just sharing how sometimes comments about what Derek should or shouldn’t be able to do boggles my mind… no disrespect).

I know exactly how you feel! My dog is completely my responsibility unless I am not home, thank goodness we have a back yard though, but even though I am the sole care taker, she still loves my bf more than me… we have contests to see who she will come to, ect and he always wins! When he leaves she lays by the door and waits for him to come back. When I leave, she barely lifts her head to notice I have gone. BTW… this is 2 years later and still no help. 🙂

when i got my dog for my birthday last year, the bf made it clear that it was my dog, and my full responsibility…but little by little that little guy has wormed his way into my bf’s heart, and i see the bf paying more and more attention to the little one and not minding sharing some of the responsibility ;p

go luck cycling! I think it’s different cycling in florida because it is flat. If you actually had to ride on hills you would probably learn gears quicker. I learned how to use gears while mountain biking on hills. Sort of, if the big and little gears were on opposite hands… I would do much better.

What’s chia like taste/texture wise just hanging out like that? Someone recently brought a water/lemon juice/chia mix to class, but the seeds looked like jelly once they hit the water & just the thought made me gag. I’m interested in trying it if it’s less awkward solid though!Kay recently posted..Confession- I met my boyfriend online

My boyfriend and I ‘both’ made the decision to get a dog. (I put ‘both’ in quotes because I really was the one who spearheaded that campaign). We adopted a 4-month-old rescue, and the first 2 months were absolute hell. He was teething, and therefore incredibly nippy, and would not get the hang of house training. (Granted, he was just a puppy). I felt incredibly guilty for choosing this dog, despite the fact my boyfriend and I both loved him. Now, almost two years later, he’s an incredibly sweet, well-behaved dog. No more guilt here. 🙂 My boyfriend and I share dog duties pretty evenly…we split the vet bills, take turns walking him/taking him out, etc. The only real difference is that the dog is more playful with my boyfriend, and more content to cuddle with me.

I think that, over time, Derek may come to view Maddie as more of ‘his’ too. It takes several months to get the feel for living together — I know it took my boyfriend and I about 5 or so. Sounds like you guys are doing pretty well so far! All the little issues eventually get fine-tuned.

Well…you state that Maddie is 100% your responsibility, yet seem a little miffed that Derek doesn’t let her out. Which is it? I’m not being mean but you can see where that is a little confusing. I was kind of surprised when Derek kept her while you were gone. She is the cutest dog ever, but she seems pretty umm lively!MaryBe recently posted..Mac and Cheeze and Lunch with Shrimps